Any one know the answer please?

[deboz]

Hi all,

I stumbled across this forum whilst doing some research on AVR and i have spent a bit of time reading all the great stories and comments. Now i was wondering if some one out there might be able to help me with a question. My Dad who has just turned 71, is going in for a AVR on Thursday, 10th April. This is something that came as a huge shock for the whole family as up until he was diagnosed there were no real signs that there was anything wrong with his heart. Approximately 12 years ago, maybe a little longer, he was diagnosed with Emphysema and immediatly stopped smoking. But unfortunately he was already fairly well progressed with the disease. Since this time he has kept pretty good health and apart from the odd troublsome chest infection and shortness of breath,has been going along nicely. This is why i am here to ask a question, is there anyone here that has had any experience of having and AVR and suffered Emphysema at the same time? Naturally i am concerned about the op, but my greatest worry at the moment is how he will recover due to the fact he has Emphysema. I am thinking that this will delay his recovery and also make him more susceptible to contracting chest infections and the likes, is this right? Is there anyone there that has had a relative with the same condition? I am just wondering what his chances are of a full recovery and if there are certain things that the family can do to assist him at this time. Anyway thanks for reading and please keep your fingers crossed for him. Thank you.

 

[netmiff]

deboz, not much help here, just wanted to say "HI" and welcome to the forums.

I am sure your father will have a tougher ride than some of us her, however, if the hospital is aware of his previous emphyseme, they will be able to take extra precautions and be particularly watchful as far as lungs go - I know that there are different anaesthetics out there, and that they will pick it carefully to fit your father's conditions, etc. etc.

Talk to his doctor about anything the family can do, and also the nursing staff in ICU and step-down when he gets there - I would think he would have to do heavy breathing and coughing, to keep his lungs clearing themselves, and that can hurt immediately after OHS, so encouragement from family to do what the staff is telling might be the best thing you and the rest of your family can do at the moment.

 

[hensylee]

Hi all,

I stumbled across this forum whilst doing some research on AVR and i have spent a bit of time reading all the great stories and comments. Now i was wondering if some one out there might be able to help me with a question. My Dad who has just turned 71, is going in for a AVR on Thursday, 10th April. This is something that came as a huge shock for the whole family as up until he was diagnosed there were no real signs that there was anything wrong with his heart. Approximately 12 years ago, maybe a little longer, he was diagnosed with Emphysema and immediatly stopped smoking. But unfortunately he was already fairly well progressed with the disease. Since this time he has kept pretty good health and apart from the odd troublsome chest infection and shortness of breath,has been going along nicely. This is why i am here to ask a question, is there anyone here that has had any experience of having and AVR and suffered Emphysema at the same time? Naturally i am concerned about the op, but my greatest worry at the moment is how he will recover due to the fact he has Emphysema. I am thinking that this will delay his recovery and also make him more susceptible to contracting chest infections and the likes, is this right? Is there anyone there that has had a relative with the same condition? I am just wondering what his chances are of a full recovery and if there are certain things that the family can do to assist him at this time. Anyway thanks for reading and please keep your fingers crossed for him. Thank you.

Good morning. We have quite a few Aussies among our membership.

I cannot answer your questions except to say that we have had some folks who had other health problems when going for valve replacement. I expect some of our folks will be along before the day is out to give their comments.


Welcome to VR. there is so much here that you won't find anywhere else.

 

[WayneGM]

Sorry, I don't have any answers to your question but I'm sure others will come by with some insights. Welcome to VR.com. I'm glad you found us.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

You raised some good questions which are probably best answered by his surgeon and anesthesiologist.

I expect he may end up being on the Ventilator longer than most patients. Patients are then given an "incentive Spirometer" to do Breathing Exercises *after* their surgery.

Another good question for his Doc's would be to ask if there would be some benefit to him starting to do Breathing Exercises BEFORE his surgery. If so, ask them to give him an incentive spirometer and show him how to use it. I was advised to use mine for 10 minutes every 2 hours after my surgery.

In the several years I've been a member of VR.com, I don't recall anyone having emphyzema as a co-morbidity (but that may mean I just didn't see such a post).

You could do a SEARCH on VR.com for keyword "emphyzema", click on "advanced search", scroll down and find the section about dates, and select "any date" to see if there have been posts on that subject.

You will be glad to note that we DO have members who have had Valve Replacement Surgery at advanced ages and are doing well. Check the profile for our member "Marty" who had VR in his 70's and is still working part-time (as an M.D. Radiologist) when he is not playing Golf!

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Curtsmum]

Welcome to the forum, sorry to be of no help but just wanted to wish your dad the very best of luck with his surgery and i hope he as a very good and speedy recovery.Take care.

 

[deboz]

Thanks

Thanks

I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to all the people that have answered my question so far,even though most of you have said you dont really know the answer it has been helpful just reading what you have offered. As Alcapshaw said i think he will be ventilated longer than most, and his doctor has mentioned a period of three or more days at the moment. (Which when reading some posts seems like a fair amount of time) I am just concerned as i thought the combination of a lung disease with an AVR would not be a good one, and one that will require a lot of post op assistance and luck if he is going to recover. I keep telling myself though that the doctors must think there is a good chance of recovery or else they wouldnt bother to go ahead with the operation. Anyway i have learnt so much from this forum and hopefully my Dad will fully recover and i will be able to post something informative about recovering from an AVR with Emphysema that might help others down the track.

 

[Ross]

deboz I have a lung disease that is similar to emphysema. I can tell you that it was difficult to come off of the vent, but other then that, no problems. If he's healthy in most other respects, it shouldn't be a big issue. He'll have to work harder then most people to get his capacities back, but it can be done.

 

[Adrienne]

I had an aunt with emphysema who had aortic valve replacement in her late 80's and died at 95 of other causes. Although I do not know the details (like how much time on the vent, etc.), I have always heard that she came through the operation well.

 

[marie]

I was 66 when I had AVR in January however no lung problems. As others have said I'm sure the doctors are certain that the benefits out weigh the risks. I think my recovery took longer because of my age but it still went very well.
Welcome to VR.com and please stay with us after your father's surgery to share your knowledge.
Earline

 

[Susan BAV]

Welcome to the site, Deboz. I was thinking too that after his recovery your dad will probably have such better circulation following the valve replacement and after getting that most important body pump fixed up properly, that he may feel much better and in every way. You and he have my best wishes.

 

[aussigal]

Welcome Deboz....we are currently being inundated by new members from AUS. its good to have you here. Whereabouts in Aus. are you guys? We have members now from just about all states.

We recently welcomed another member who has lung disease and asked a similar Q. to you,. I cannot recall her name. This lady is also pre-op, she may see your post and share some of what she has learnt.

 

[ruthienc1]

lungs and AVR

lungs and AVR

Hi! I may be the lung person previously mentioned. I don't have what your Dad has, but the end result is the same! My AVR is a month away, so I don't have answers for you from experience. I'm 64 yrs. old, on oxygen at night only, and they are approaching me ever so carefully as a patient . I'll be in the hospital 3 days prior to surgery so that they can do a very careful evaluation. I get the feeling that I may be on the vent longer than a lot of folks- I don't much like that, but it is what it is. So far, the waiting is the hardest thing!
Ruth